I find it far from surprising, but it sure is sad how dishonesty by a few people can lead to such turmoil for so many people..
Credit squeeze reaches dramatic stage
Commentary: Central banks pour in cash, but underlying problem still alive http://www.saposnekappraisal.com/News?ID=64185
U.S. Fed injects another $38 bln into financial markethttp://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/11/content_6511077.htm
Regulator rejects Fannie Mae's pleahttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20219658/
UPDATE 2-Countrywide, WaMu fall on heightened mortgage worryhttp://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2007-08-10T220518Z_01_N10297873_RTRIDST_0_MORTGAGE-LENDERS-UPDATE-2.XML
Central banks act to head off global credit crisishttp://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2007-08-10T201919Z_01_L10195866_RTRUKOC_0_US-CENTRALBANKS.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=BizArt-C1-ArticlePage4
Subprime fallout draws comparisons to past criseshttp://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyid=2007-08-10T160026Z_01_N08320171_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-CREDIT.xml&WTmodLoc=BizArt-R2-MostViewedBiz-3&from=business
Those who fail to remember the past are DOOMED to repeat it
08 August 2007
The Appraisal Foundation is in the midst of its annual search for qualified candidates to serve on one of its three Boards. The deadline for completed applications for vacancies on the Board of Trustees, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) and the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) has been extended until August 31, 2007.
The Appraisal Foundation is interested in expanding the diversity of all Boards by considering applications from business leaders with an interest in valuation or involved in various appraisal disciplines.
The Appraisal Foundation, a congressionally-authorized nonprofit organization that fosters professionalism among appraisers by setting qualifications and standards, announced the upcoming release of the latest edition of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), which will be effective for two years, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009.
The new two-year cycle will stabilize the standards for the benefit of appraisers, the users of appraisal services and professionals who enforce the standards while enabling all parties to become even more familiar with USPAP.
“We listened to the feedback we received from our many constituencies and made the decision to transition from an annual publication to a 24-month cycle,” said Gregory J. Accetta, chairman of the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB), the Foundation Board, which promulgates USPAP. “Over the past two decades, USPAP has become a more stable document. This allows us to make a change to the publication schedule, which we believe will be well-received by appraisers, users of appraisal services and appraiser regulators.”
In addition, the new edition of USPAP will include guidance from the ASB in the form of the USPAP Advisory Opinions and the USPAP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which had previously been published separately. Combining USPAP and ASB guidance in one publication gives appraisers better access to information and answers all in one spiral-bound, easy-to-use volume, which will include a master index for the first time. The new publication will be offered at a cost of $50.
“Having all of the USPAP-related information at your fingertips should be a time savings for everyone,” Accetta added. “The Appraisal Standards Board continuously strives to improve
USPAP and its related guidance to provide a useful publication that informs appraisers and the users of appraisal services of the requirements for ethical and competent appraisal practice.”
Fed leaves rate steady in U.S.; no sign of future cuthttp://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/08/business/08fed.php
“Cinco de Mayo Fireballs”
• 1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1/4 cup butter or margarine • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped • 2 tablespoons dark rum • 1 1/2 teaspoons TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce • 1/3 cup sugar
Melt chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in walnuts, rum and TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce and mix well. Refrigerate mixture about 15 minutes. Shape into 1-inch balls, then roll in sugar to coat. Store in refrigerator.
Makes about 3 dozen.
From SAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICES
Wishing you and your family a joyous Cinco de Mayo celebration!
Appraisers are the auditors of the real estate transaction
At Saposnek Appraisal Services, we're not number-hitters. That's why our clients seek, appreciate and trust our services. We have a reputation for being HONEST, ACCURATE, HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL, INDEPENDENT and dedicated to a high standard of ethical appraisal practices.
That's really the role of any appraiser in the mortgage market: We're like auditors are for publicly traded companies. During the recent mortgage and housing market deflation, many of our competitors have fallen into the trap of doing whatever it takes to "hit the number." This destroys the credibility of all parties involved in a real estate transaction. It can also create problems including, loss of sale (due to unethical appraisal practice), extended closing dates and heightened anxiety for all parties involved. Not to mention having a significant negative impact on the reputation of the trusted professionals involved in the transaction.
At Saposnek Appraisal Services, we're here to provide you with the Highest Level of Reliable Real Estate Valuation Services in every transaction we procure. We can't provide a more important service to any of our clients than to sometimes arrive at a value conclusion that indicates a lower vale than expected.Confidence - your confidence in us, your clients' confidence in you, the country's confidence in its economy - that's what the appraisal profession brings to the mortgage process. This is what we bring you every single time you engage our services. We want to thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to developing long term business relationships.
Jeremy M. SaposnekSAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICES
Visit my website at www.saposnekappraisal.com and get registered for our weekly sweepstakes drawing and you could win $1,000! That will go a long way to increasing the value of your home. Maybe some new landscaping? New countertops? Whatever you want to do with it, it's cold hard cash - so register now!
While you're there, check out all the ways I can help you with any of your real estate needs!
Good luck! I hope you're the next lucky winner!
Sincerely,
JEREMY SAPOSNEKSAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICES (775) 828-7394j@saposnekappraisal.com www.saposnekappraisal.com
Copyright © 2006 SAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICES2450 LYMBERY STREET SUITE #336RENO, NV 89509-4025(775) 828-7394 All Rights Reserved.
If you worked with appraisers ten years ago, you know how much technology has changed since then. What you might not realize is that there have been many developments in technology and e-commerce that have improved turnaround times on appraisal assignments. We're taking advantage of them. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speed up the process? Here are some suggestions.
Hearing from you - someone they've been working with on their loan - a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
WWW.SAPOSNEKAPPRAISAL.COM
SAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICES 2450 Lymbery Street Suite 336, Reno, NV. 89509-4025Phone: (775) 828-7394 Fax: (775) 828-7394 E-mail: J@SAPOSNEKAPPRAISAL.COM
2006-2008 USPAP From the Appraisal Foundation
http://commerce.appraisalfoundation.org/html/2006%20USPAP/ao26.htm
12. May an appraisal be readdressed to a regulated institution from the borrower or another institution?
Answer:
Financial Institution Letters
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Thrift Supervision, National Credit Union Administration
Frequently Asked Questions on the Appraisal Regulations and the Interagency Statement1 on Independent Appraisal and Evaluation Functions
March 22, 2005
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration (the agencies) prepared this document in response to questions from federally regulated institutions (regulated institutions) on existing standards for selecting appraisers, ordering appraisals, accepting transferred appraisals, and other related topics. It should be reviewed in conjunction with the agencies' appraisal regulations, the "Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines" (interagency guidelines), dated October 27, 1994, and the joint statement "Independent Appraisal and Evaluation Functions" (independence statement), dated October 28, 2003.
Selectig an Appraiser and Ordering an Appraisal
1. Do the interagency guidelines and independence statement apply for ordering and reviewing appraisals if the collateral property is residential (mortgage or home equity) rather than commercial?
2. A regulated institution plans to make a construction loan to a tract developer to build 10 homes. Is it permissible for the developer to order appraisals on the properties and use them to support the construction loan request? Could the developer select an appraiser from the lender's approved appraiser list and in turn submit the appraiser's name to potential permanent lenders?
Answer
3. Who should be considered the loan production staff for purposes of achieving appraiser independence? Could loan production staff select an appraiser?
4. What information should the regulated institution provide to the appraiser upon engagement?
FDIC: FIL-20-2005: Frequently Asked Questions Page 1 of 5
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2005/fil2005a.html 3/22/2005
5. When selecting residential appraisers, may loan production staff use a revolving pre-approved appraiser list, provided the list is not under their control?
6. Must the individual appraiser, rather than the appraisal firm, sign and accept the terms of an engagement letter for it to be considered valid?
7. Are appraisers required to disclose whether they have been engaged to appraise a given property in the past or is this information confidential?
8. When ordering appraisals, can a staff appraiser or an appraisal company affiliated with the regulated institution be considered independent since the regulated institution compensates them?
Accepting a Transferred Appraisal
9. Can a regulated institution accept an appraisal from a prospective borrower and determine its acceptability based on a review?
10. Can an appraisal be transferred from one lender to another and, if so, under what circumstances?
Regulated institutions are expected to perform a more thorough review when accepting an appraisal from another financial services institution to confirm that the appraisal complies with the regulation and has sufficient information to support the lending decision. Moreover, the regulated institution accepting the appraisal should determine whether appropriate documentation is available to confirm that the financial services institution (not the borrower) ordered the appraisal.
11. Can a regulated institution accept an appraisal prepared by an appraiser who was engaged by a loan broker?
FDIC: FIL-20-2005: Frequently Asked Questions Page 2 of 5
13. May an appraisal be routed from one lender to a regulated institution via the borrower?
14. Can a borrower pay the appraiser directly for an appraisal that is ordered by the lender?
15. Can an appraiser deliver an appraisal report to more than one lender assuming the appraisal has been ordered by one of the lenders?
16. Can the regulated institution accept an appraisal prepared by an appraiser who is a family member of the loan broker who engaged him/her?
17. Can the regulated institution accept an appraisal prepared by an appraiser who is engaged by a financial services institution with whom the appraiser has an affiliated business relationship?
18. How can a regulated institution ensure appraiser independence when accepting an appraisal prepared for a financial services institution?
Reviewing Appraisals
19. Should all appraisals undergo a compliance review?
FDIC: FIL-20-2005: Frequently Asked Questions Page 3 of 5
20. Can a regulated institution approve a loan subject to receipt and review of an appraisal, or must the
appraisal be obtained and reviewed prior to making the final decision?
21. What qualifications would constitute a "qualified and adequately trained individual" for the purpose of conducting appraisal reviews?
Evaluation and Other Appraisal Topics
22. Can an otherwise qualified individual prepare an evaluation of a property securing a loan that will be approved by his/her direct supervisor? Can one officer perform an evaluation for another if they are both members of a loan committee, provided the evaluating officer abstains from voting? Could the lending officer or branch manager in a small, regulated institution perform the evaluation if he/she abstains from the final loan approval?
23. Do the interagency guidelines apply only to loans in excess of $250,000? Is the $250,000 threshold the loan amount or the property value?
24. Should a regulated institution comply with the independence requirements if an appraisal is not required by the agencies' appraisal regulations?
25. Does a tax-assessment value from the local taxing authority constitute an evaluation? Can a loan officer who approves and/or recommends a loan conduct an evaluation if the market value that the officer develops in the evaluation does not exceed the tax- assessment value?
A regulated institution should ensure that an individual who performs an evaluation is independent of the loan production function. Simply restricting the size of a transaction to less than the tax-assessed value alone does not comply with the agencies' appraisal regulations or the interagency guidelines, which address standards of independence. (See "Independence of the Appraisal and Evaluation Function" in the interagency guidelines.)
26. The work-out plan on a $5 million problem loan calls for a regulated institution to receive an assignment of a $2 million note from the borrower's relative secured by a deed of trust on a different property. Is this financial transaction considered real-estate-related and is an appraisal required on the collateral property?
FDIC: FIL-20-2005: Frequently Asked Questions Page 4 of 5
27. What is the useful life of an appraisal?
28. Can a regulated institution advance new funds without a new appraisal if the value of the total loan continues to be supported by an existing appraisal and is consistent with supervisory LTV limits? Does the age of the appraisal matter if the physical condition of the property and the market conditions have not changed?
1
LTCU 03-CU-17.
Last Updated 3/22/2005
Home Contact Us Search Help SiteMap Forms
Freedom of Information Act Website Policies FirstGov.gov
FDIC: FIL-20-2005: Frequently Asked Questions Page 5 of 5
Its not fun to read but it separates the good from the bad!
Predetermined values and "comp checks."
http://commerce.appraisalfoundation.org/html/2006%20USPAP/ao19.htm
If your appraiser is comfortable violating USPAP/ETHICS before receiving the assignment, why would you be surprised when it bounces off the underwriters and reviewers desk?
http://activerain.com/states/NV
Appraisal Info | 5 Reasons To Use Us | Lyon County Assessor | Douglas County Assessor | Curchill County Assessor | Carson City Assessor | Washoe County Assessor | No Reviews! | Inspection Tips | News | FAQ | Home | Faster Appraisals | My Blog
Copyright © 2008 SAPOSNEK APPRAISAL SERVICESPortions Copyright © 2008 a la mode, inc.Another XSite by a la mode, inc. | Admin Login| Terms of Use| Site Map